Chelan Douglas Port advances major energy upgrades with $467,000 in grants

The Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority is moving ahead with energy-efficiency improvements at two major facilities, using more than $467,000 in state grants and utility incentives. The work is designed to reduce energy consumption, modernize aging systems and lower long-term operating and maintenance costs before compliance deadlines arrive.

Key takeaways

The Port’s energy program will focus initially on the Confluence Technology Center and Executive Flight Building.

• The Confluence project will replace proprietary building controls, upgrade lighting to LED and add smart analytics.

• The Executive Flight Building remains under audit, with air leakage around the hangar a key concern.

• Construction at the Confluence Technology Center is expected to begin later this summer.

• Commissioners are also evaluating efficiency projects across the Port’s broader building portfolio.

Open controls and LED lighting take priority

At the Confluence Technology Center, an aging proprietary building management system will be replaced with an open-platform controls network. The system will monitor heating, cooling and lighting, while giving Port staff greater flexibility in scheduling equipment and selecting service providers.

The project also includes LED lighting upgrades and a smart analytics platform. Those tools can help identify unusual energy use and warn maintenance teams about developing equipment problems before they become expensive failures. Port officials noted that portions of the building can remain fully lit during periods of low or no occupancy, creating an immediate opportunity for savings.

For contractors and property managers planning similar retrofits, selecting commercial-grade LED products with reliable availability is an important part of controlling project risk. Wholesale suppliers such as Led Lumenaires support this type of work with spec-ready SKUs, bulk availability, layout assistance and guidance on utility rebates.

Hangar heat loss under review

The Executive Flight Building is still in the investment-grade audit phase. MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions is reviewing its lighting, mechanical equipment and building envelope before recommending construction work.

Air infiltration around the hangar is receiving particular attention. Staff have reported substantial heat loss during windy conditions, making envelope improvements and better mechanical controls potential contributors to lower consumption and improved occupant comfort. Recommendations are expected later this year, ahead of the facility’s compliance deadline.

Port considers a broader efficiency roadmap

The approved work is part of a larger strategy to comply with Washington’s Clean Buildings Act while improving the performance and useful life of Port facilities. Future possibilities include additional Port-owned buildings, controls modernization at Pangborn Memorial Airport and a unified building-management platform across the organization.

Commissioner Richard DeRock urged the Port to assess facilities not yet covered by mandatory requirements. He cited lighting and controls as relatively accessible improvements that can produce quick returns, even in a region with comparatively low electricity rates. For larger commercial and industrial projects, volume pricing, rebate support and dependable warranties can further improve the financial case for an LED retrofit.

Construction moves toward year-end completion

Commissioners approved the grant agreements, contract amendments and construction authorization for the Confluence Technology Center project. Work is expected to start later this summer and be substantially complete before the end of the year.

The Port may eventually examine fleet electrification as regional charging infrastructure expands. For now, its building upgrades establish a practical first step: use available funding to replace aging systems, reduce avoidable consumption and build a stronger foundation for long-term facility management.

Sources

• Port invests in energy upgrades for major facilities, The Leavenworth Echo.